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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Was up early with my bride for our coffee both of us were having leg cramps on and off last night so we didn’t sleep well, After Donna left for work Rigg’s and I got a couple hour nap.

Today is the second day my good laptop has been in the shop , but it’s 2:30PM and I haven’t heard from them. Oh well as long as it’s fixed when I get it back. Patience doesn’t spread very thick when, your waiting for warmer weather, your bride to retire, and then for vacation to get here. Sometimes its a little thin.

We were supposed to have snow and freezing rain today and tonight, but so far it has just drizzled rain and the temp is now 34.

Well this is a short post day, doesn’t look like the truck will leave the garage again today.Looks like I am going to get the month of February out of a tank of Diesel. Remember the old Chevron commercials. Chevron Supreme will last a year, if you don’t drive….

Hope all is well with all my blogger friends. Please me safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, the she was off to the Truck Company and the Restaurant. The Riggs and I got a nap.

Want to WELCOME two new followers first is NEW AGE NOMAD he is currently full timing out by the Slabs in Ca. My next new follower is TRAVEL BUG_SUSAN I hope the both of you enjoy the antics and goings on here at the Weeb Ranch and also when we get back on the road, Between the dogs and the Grandkid’s there is never a dull moment here, right now were in the middle of some winter weather.

It’s been trying to snow all day spitting flurries but so far no new accumulation. The roads are finally looking pretty good. But they are saying more snow tonight and tomorrow with a small accumulation. We shall see.

Been waiting to here from the computer repair shop but so far nothing today, I will be glad to get our newer laptop back and put this old Latitude down in my office as the backup again.

Looks like our friends KAREN&STEVEIO are in the warm weather and crossing Texas, I know they don’t miss the winter storm they missed by detouring around MO and The Ranch. Hopefully they can stop on the way home.

Plus several of our Canadian friends are at the Desert Sands Resort, enjoying the warm weather, Golf, and the pool.

We sure hope we can do something warm next winter and not put up with this snow.DONNA&DENNIS our friends from Sandwich returned to Illinois just in time for the weather we are getting. Glad to see their Uncle Junior is doing better, He is an old Navy Air Craft Carrier guy like me although he served on The USS Bennington in WW2, remember the “Big ONE’.I am one of those young upstarts from the Viet Nam gig.

Well I better say goodbye for today, Everything is going fine here in the bustling cow town of Dardenne Prairie MO. Please everyone be safe out there.Remember “Its always easier to accomplish something with a kind word and a gun, Than just a kind word”…..Sam & Donna…

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride, Had a milk instead of a coffee, then my pretty bride was off to the truck company.It was a heavy sleet and freezing rain falling as she left for work. Rigg’s and I got our nap.

I have been having trouble on the new laptop with Skype, when I would click on the Video Call button it would go to a blue screen that said the computer was rebooting, with the error Driver_Irql_not_less_or_equal.

Went to Google and searched the error and and one of the suggested fixes was to restore to a date earlier than when you noticed the problem. So I went to the restore tab and the earliest date I could restore it to was 02-09-13 so I clicked on that. It gave me a message that it was restoring and it could take awhile.

About and hour later it rebooted, then it went to the Inspiron screen with the blue line going across the bottom, then it went to the blue Windows 8 squares screen, and then the screen dimmed but after several hours it still hadn’t rebooted to the desktop. I shut it down manually and then tried a restart but got the same result, since I was out of answers and it was now a non functioning laptop, I decided I needed professional help.

So this morning I dropped it off at the computer store where I bought my first used laptop, and they said they would fix it.

Since the highway department still hadn’t showed up to fix my mail box I had to go to the Post Office to pick up our mail. I hope it’s fixed soon that could get old fast.

So now I have the old laptop up in the kitchen and i am pecking away with.Boy that new one has me spoiled, it is probably twice as fast, and this one has several glitches, like the mouse pointing getting a mind of it’s own and taking off to places you weren’t going to. Then you have to wait until it decides to calm down again.

Hopefully in a couple days I will have the new one back, Before we leave on our trips I will buy another one just like it and retire this old Latitude.

We are scheduled to have a couple more days of on and off freezing rain. but it is getting rid of the snow we had.

I hope everyone is doing better than here. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Monday, February 25, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and Rigg’s and I had a nap.

Before I forget I want to WELCOME a new follower RICK, it doesn’t show a blog for him as yet, but if he gets one we will let you know. Rick I hope you enjoy the antics of the Weibel crew here at the Ranch and when we do head out for a trip in April.The number says you are number 168, although I don’t trust the numbering system since it changes occasionally.

Got a call this morning from the County Highway Dept and the nice lady said they would be out with a crew to repair my mailbox that got knocked down by the plow. She said the had a bunch of them since the snow as so heavy and wet with ice.

We may get lucky, the news this morning said the snow we were expecting and we might just get some rain and freezing rain. We’ll see what it looks like when we get up in the morning. Kansas City wasn’t so lucky and is getting hammered again.

Another Monday and February is almost over, they are going by fast, but just not fast enough, I want to get Donna retired and our trips started, Today she is stopping at the Social Security Office to file for her Social Security.

Once she gets that done I have to work on her on getting to the Post Office and getting a passport. I have had mine for awhile, but if we do get to Texas or one of the border states she will need hers to go into a border town. Plus next winter we want to join our friends Paul & Helen down in XPU-HA Mexico for the winter.

Well that’s about it for today. Hope all of our friends are well and warm. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna,

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Was up early at about 03:00AM, couldn’t sleep, then about 05:00AM I went in for a nap. Later in the morning I had to make a run To the grocery store, for the essentials, Milk, Soda, Bottled Water, and Beer. Were set now for a couple weeks.

I also want to WELCOME our newest followers JULIE & TOM They have a blog and are in Gainesville Florida now. I hope you guys enjoy the antics of the crew here at the Weeb Ranch, in April we should be hitting the road again.

Donna has a nice relaxing day. Did I tell you she is looking and feeling better and breathing easier since they gave her new medication after her procedure.

It got up to about 44 degrees today so that started a slow melt of the snow, Tomorrow I will have to see what I need to fix the mailbox and go and get it if I don’t since it looks like it was hit by the snowplow along with my neighbors I sent the County Highway Department and e-mail asking them to come out and fix it. Who knows if I’ll here from them. But I can’t go to long as they won’t deliver mail without the Rural box up. Remember back when you knew your mailman and he would pull up the driveway and hand you your mail for a couple days until you got the box fixed. NO more. any excuse and they don’t stop or slow down.

They have moved the snow back to Tuesday late and all night with about another 5 inches predicted. So tomorrow will be the day for the repair.

I am certainly as one of my commenters said suffering from cabin fever. I would hitch up tomorrow if there was some way for us to do it. but we can’t rush Donna retirement, So all we can do is dream and try to be patient.

Plus the weather here has to warm a little so I can do some maintenance, like tire replacement before we leave.

Rigg’s and Sadie have both had a lazy Sunday, Rigg’s has napped with his Mom, and while I was watching a train movie in the guest bedroom Sadie came in and jumped up and took an hours nap next to her Grandpa.Other than watching the snow melt nothing else of importance is going on here at the Ranch.

Hope everyone out there in blog land is doing fine. Be safe out there. Sam &Donna….

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride, then nap time for all of us.

Donna made a nice pancake breakfast later on. Also a pineapple cake.

It was 9 degrees this morning at 06:00AM, the high is only supposed to be 32. I don’t think I will be going out to fix our mailbox that got knocked down, by the looks of it the snow plow got ours and the next door neighbors, but unless you see them do it or someone else does. They won’t fix it.

I will just wait until Monday when it it supposed to be warmer. It is colder than they predicted early in the week, supposed to have been in the fortys today and then fiftys tomorrow, it won’t hit 40 tomorrow and the snow isn’t doing much melting. Now they are predicting more snow Monday night.

Donna’s home now until Monday morning and she is napping here and there and doing well. My Son Andy told her he will quit smoking with her so she doesn’t see him smoke and get tempted. I was going to offer them a prize in cash if they quit , But I think I will wait and then take them all someplace nice for a nice dinner and then maybe a couple hours in the lounge, maybe like at the Casino in St Charles, they have a nice couple of Restaurants and also a night club, where you can get up and dance with your bride or in Andy’s case his girlfriend.

Not much going on at the Ranch, Rigg’s and Sadie are laying on the rug next to my chair as I type this.

Until the snowmelts Sadie has her little spot outside and Rigg’s still has the run of the yard.

My truck has turned a wheel in several days, no tracks outside it’s garage stall yet. No sense in using it when Mom’s SUV is here and has been out in the snow already.

Well that’s about it for today, I hope all is well in Blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…...

Friday, February 22, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride and had our coffee. Then she was off to the truck company, she said the roads are still bad and it took her an extra 15 minutes by driving slower.

It looks like all told between the two snow periods and then the ice storm we got about 6 inches of snow and then a hard cover of ice and freezing rain.The Highway Dept. will have a job with that as it it too cold for the road salt to melt it yet.

I noticed my next door neighbors two wheel drive truck slid off his driveway and is in his yard. Last time he got stuck he came over to ask me to help pull him out. But so far I haven’t seen him. If he comes by I will ask my Son to take my truck and a strap and get him back on the driveway.

He’s been pretty scarce since he didn’t pay my Son for plowing his driveway last year, I normally would charge a neighbor, but he runs a business out of his place, and nobody lives there.

Poor little Sadie she is so small and short that when she went out and got to the 6 inch snow she disappeared and had to jump like a deer to get back to the patio. My Son went out and shoveled her a little path and a bigger square area down to the grass so she could do her business. Now she runs down the path, squats and then runs back. she doesn’t want anything to do with this much snow. Rigg’s on the other hand is loving it he throws it up in the air with his nose and runs and slides and rolls around in it. When he comes in he is covered in snow.

Andy and his girlfriend Samantha are going sledding this afternoon, I remember doing that.Won’t anymore though.

Donna is off tonight and for the rest of the weekend almost like normal people. I hope she gets a lot of rest this weekend, another reason why I am in no hurry to get my truck out, We can just chill here at the Ranch.

Glad to here our friends Karen & Stevio missed the storm and have made it to short sleeve weather in La.I’ll bet they are glad they left when they did. and didn’t stop like they originally planned. By the time they head home they can stop on the way back it will be warmer here.

That’s about it for today,Hope all is well with everyone out there in blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Up at 04:30AM and it was still dry outside, had coffee with my bride, Then she was off to the truck company. Rigg’s and I took a nap.

About 10:30AM I noticed it was white outside and when I looked there was already a couple inches of snow and still snowing. They have been really hyping this storm as a potentially dangerous combination of snow and ice in the St Louis News and weather.

Around 11:15AM I got an e-mail from Donna saying they were sending them home from the truck company. I watched the news some more and found out a lot of business’s and all schools and government offices closed today also.

Maybe they know something we don’t , it looks like it is slowing down out there, but it is supposed to go on and off all day and all night, so we will see what morning brings.The good news is in two day the temps will be in the 50’s and the snow will be gone.

During the early part of the storm.

Here is a picture of Adam and his new little sister Kya.

Kya & Adam.

He is so happy he is a big brother now So far he said he would be his sister’s protector forever.

Sorry about missing yesterdays blog, don’t really know what happened, I thought I had posted and then about 9PM I was watching TV and thought hey I didn’t post today, had to give it an Oh Well to late now.

Everyone be safe out there be safe and hope your weathers better than ours, we will be inside and warm though with plenty of food and enough High Life to last until the weathers better. Sam & Donna…….

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride and had our coffee. Then she was off to the truck company, and I went in to join Rigg’s on my bed for a nap. He was already asleep when I got in there, but had saved me just enough room to lay down next to him. Soon as I was comfortable ,Rigg’s pushed up against my leg and went back to sleep, he has to be right up against you I guess to feel safe.
Later in the morning I had to go to the MO. Dept of Revenue office, to renew my CDL. They do it different than they used to no appointment, just go in. They send you a card in the mail telling you what you need, another picture form of ID. So I had my old CDL and my Passport.
I went in and there was about 10 people ahead of me so I sat for about 30 minutes till my number was called.
The lady that waited on me was very business like, but kept asking me questions,I didn’t know it but in addition to two picture ID’s they want something with your address, I told the lady my old CDL has my address on it and we still live there. No she can’t use that. Then she asked me if I voted and I said yes, then she asked if I was a taxpayer, so she looked me up in the tax records and found my address there and printed it out. After that you had to stand in front of the camera , you know the routine, turn your head, cough, Flash, okay your done.
Left there 45 dollars poorer but a new CDL should arrive in 5-7 days.All told I spent almost an hour in there.
Today in Dardenne Prairie it is a nice sunny day but it is only 30 degrees and the wind is worse than yesterday, I froze just walking from the car to the license office.
Thank God my son said he would do the grocery shopping for us today, I really didn’t want to go back out. and I forgot the list when I went out to renew my license.
Well so far that’s it for another exciting day here at the Weeb Ranch.
Hope everyone is having a great week and is warmer than us. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna………

Monday, February 18, 2013

Was up at 04:30 AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company, Rigg’s and I were off to our nap.

It turned out to be a very dreary cloudy day, the temp says 56 degrees, but with a strong wind blowing it seems like it is a lot colder than that, I made a quick run to the liquor store for a bottle of anisette. That’s what you need on a cold morning to add to your coffee and stay warm.

Rigg’s and Sadie are taking advantage of a lazy day and laying around.

How about a couple of Navy pictures.

These were taken at the Phila Naval Yard in 1967.

Two Heavy Cruiser’s.

Four Battleship’s

Left, two Battleships, Two carrier’s ,two Helicopter carrier, upper right to cruisers.1995…Phila.NSY.

The present day mh-60 flown by my old squadron HC-2, (Now HSC-2) Squadron patch has remained the same all these years. Same tail code HU.

That’s about it for today, Hope everyone is having a fine day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Was up at 06:00Am and had coffee with my bride, Adam took his medicine and then went into bed and slept all night. This morning he got up and announced that he was feeling a lot better, you could tell yesterday he was sick, he didn’t even want to play xbox and just laid around on Grandma’s bed.

Yesterday his Mom Shana had a baby, girl. both are fine, Adam saw a picture of his new sister on FB this morning.

Since she has a different Dad she is not related to Donna & I. But I can’t help but think that someday down the road I might have another adopted Grand.

Adam’s other Grandpaw came by and picked him up and took him to the hospital to see his new Sister, wonder if he will be as excited when she gets older and he and her compete. Of course their will be 11 years difference in age so that might never happen, He will just assume the protector role.

Donna is making a pot roast for supper. Boy the Weibel’s have been eating good this week while she has been off from the restaurant. Haven’t heard yet when she intends to go back but since that entails lifting heavy trays of food, she can’t do that for awhile. I guess her Doctor will tell her when.

Nothing much going on here at the Ranch another cool but sunny day. Rigg’s somehow got off his run and went to visit the neighbor next store, He called and I went and got him he wasn’t coming home he was having fun until I went over and called him, then he came running back.

Hope everyone is is doing fine out there in blog land. we are just waiting and watching. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Was up at 06:00 didn’t have coffee though. Adam woke up sick and throwing up. So I had a mess to clean up and try to get him comfortable. Finally at 08:00AM I went to Walgreens when it opened and got him some Dramamine and a bottle of white soda to sip. That did the trick and calmed his stomach. He must have some bug, because he didn’t play video and went into my bed and slept for 3 hours, Grandma got to help with some of the Nurse chores today.

It was 23 degree’s when I went to the drug store. Boy that was the first I had been out in that cold a weather. Now I know why Florida sounds so good. It’s sunny and bright here at the ranch but the high is only supposed to be 37 degrees.

Andy & Samantha took Rigg’s and Sadie to the Doggie park this afternoon. They said both enjoyed their outing.

As each day goes by it brings us closer to our vacation time. I can hardly wait.

Tonight Donna said she would make Polo Alfredo, one of my favorites.

We will spend the day watching our Grandboy and if he doesn’t show any sign of improvement We’ll have my Son take him to Med-First to have a Doctor look at him.

That’s about it for today, I hope all our friends out there will be having a good weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Friday, February 15, 2013

Was up at the usual 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride.Then she was off to the truck company. When I went in the bedroom, I found that Rigg’s had again beat me to it, and was already sound asleep, taking half of my side of the bed. He had to be shoved over so I could lay down.

Adam was off school today so my son Andy went to pick him up at 10AM. As soon as he got here he went and got the xbox out of his Dad’s room, Andy had taken it from the family room last week. Then it was setup again in the family room and Adam was back in business, soon as he signed on he found one of his friends was on and the games began.

Rigg’s wrote another memo to his friends and asked that I include it in today’s blog.

I know I haven’t written in a while, and this is a short one…will get Mom to type a longer

One for me later. I would but my paws are just too big.

Anyway things around the house were a bit strange for a few days. Dad and Andy were very nervous

And upset about something, I could just feel it. Well that made me nervous….that’s why I got

Into the trash and spread it all over the kitchen and living room…Honest…just pure nerves.

And Sadie has been hogging all my Mom’s attention. Anyway turns out Mom needed some type

Of heart procedure and wasn’t feeling very well..so I jumped strait into nurse mode. Mom was home

For 5 days, never had her be here that long before. But hey even though I didn’t get my “mom’s home

From work treat “ everyday it was nice having her here…I stayed right by her. On floor next to bed.

Oh alright, I got up on the bed, but hey that way I could watch her better. My nephew Ralphie sent her

A nice picture and said he hoped it would make her smile, which it did.

Hi Grandma, get well soon.

Well Mom is back to work and all is well..but I must say all that nursing really can wear a guy out.

So think I’ll it some rest now.

More later….Riggins

What a guy that Rigg’s, Tonight at least for Adam, Andy , Samantha & I will be pizza night. I forgot to take the frozen dough out so we will have some store bought pizza’s. Oh well,I told Donna if she didn’t want pizza, to pick up something she would like on the way home. Donna is not big on pizza and we had it once last week so I figured I would give her the option. Adam & I can have it as much as we want, we are both pizza hounds.

Just got a picture from my Grandaughter Allie in New Jersey, she is in her second year of college and working at a seafood Restaurant,

Allie and her pet snake Cuddles.

Today is another sunny but colder day here at the Ranch, it looks like we will have a high around 40, But stay sunny and bright.Slowly but surely the days are clicking by and I am in the can’t wait for the middle of April to get here. I am going to go around and research tires for the fiver soon.We have Maxxi’s on it now, but I would like maybe to move up one load range. Just for added safety.

While I have the wheels off I will repack the wheel bearings and do a brake and magnet check. That will get it ready for our trip to Florida. It had always been a good tower, and I have never had any tire or brake problems in the 4 years we have had it.

Better give equal time to another Grand and her pet, here is Katie my son Tims, girlfriends daughter they also live in New Jersey.

Katie & Luger her dog, Luger is a Drathaar and a heck of a bird dog. He looks to be about the same size as Rigg’s maybe a little smaller.

Well that’s about it for today, I hope everyone is having a great day, remember Just be careful out there. Sam & Donna…

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM with my pretty bride and had my coffee, Then she was off to the truck company, and Rigg’s as usual beat me back to the bed for our nap. We both enjoyed an Erie –Lackawanna train movie.

Here it is 02:00PM and and I just feel like nothing got accomplished today. I did go to Shop & Save to keep the Emergency Low Beer warning light from coming on on the Fridge.

Had a couple peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. Ever notice peanut butter never goes out of style, it’s like the Old Reliable of quick lunches, I remember when we kid’s the Dining car stewards would make a peanut butter sandwich for a picky kid. Usually it was free.

Watching those passenger trains reminded me of a time long ago when every vacation with my Grandparents was an adventure and the train was the main player.

A ball game was an all day adventure to New York City,again the highlight was the train trip to and from, I know my Granddad, Dad and Uncle enjoyed it too, On the way home they would sit in the Tavern Lounge car and drink beer, and the steward would give the kid’s soda and pretzels. Didn’t take much to make you a happy did, didn’t need an Ipod, or Xbox, just a window.

Rigg’s is taking his job as defender of the Weeb Ranch serious, he took up a post in the kitchen and hasn’t moved for a couple of hours. Here I’ll show you.

Rigg’s On the job.

As you can see Rigg’s likes his new harness, it isn’t as tight around the next as his old collar was and the lead or leash goes to the middle of his back where it doesn’t pull his neck back he walks better and genuinely likes it. If you take it loose he pushes his head back through the minute you take it off.

I think I’ll take the easy way out and cook a pot of Basketti for supper tonight. Haven’t had it for more than a week and it’s warm and filling.

Speaking of warm, it is 54 degrees here at the Ranch right now and sunny, juts another nice mild day, and no wind, so it feels warmer than it really is.

That’s about it for today, I hope everyone is having a great day and please be safe out there. Sam & Donna………

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty and breathing easier bride.tried to talk her out of it but she went in to the truck company after promising she would take it easy. I also reminded her of no lifting or driving anything like a truck or forklift.

Then Rigg’s and I got a short nap and part of a train movie. I had to go over to Walgreens and pick up a prescription, When I got home and opened the package I saw it was Merformin, that’s the drug the Doctor told me to stop taking two weeks ago at my last appointment, since Walgreens has a no return policy on drugs, I am out the money. But It won’t happen again from now on I will look at the bottle before I pay for them.

They also had cashews for $2.95 for a regular size can normally $5.00 a can.somehow two of those made it into the bag. Perfect for a companion to a glass of Millers.

Sure is quiet without Donna here, while she was home I would go in and check on her about once an hour and make sure she was getting rest and see if she needed anything or if she took her medicine and just generally be a pain like a good nurse is supposed to be. Boy today I have nothing to do.Rigg’s is in sleeping on the couch. Even he is staying away.

The other day I stubbed my middle tow on right foot against something and nearly tore the nail off, it was just fastened at the bottom. Every time your foot would hit the covers or your socks, it would bug the heck of me. So today I bit the bullet and took a pair of pliers and removed it in one pull. Did it hurt, I’ll keep you guessing, but it looks like an extra strength Tylenol night tonight.

The weather report for the Ranch and Dardenne Prairie today is as follows, Sunny with a high of 52, which it has already reached at 02:30PM, really mild nice day, The dogs are enjoying their outside time.

We are considering a stay at the Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale Al. on our way to Florida and Ms. in April. Retired Rod recommended it so I know it must be nice. Donna & I are new Escapee’s members and have never stayed at an Escapee’s Park before so we don’t know what to expect. We know people that stay at North Ranch in Az. and the like it there. Anybody know what amenities the Rainbow Plantation offers and how far in advance you need reservations.

Well that’s about it for today, hope all is well for all our friends out there. Please be safe. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride, then took a nap with Rigg’s.
One of the things I don’t think I mentioned about Donna’s condition was when the cardiologist talked with us after the procedure, he assured us all the blockages were open and her heart looked in good shape. He did say he thought part of her breathing problem could be related to a fast heart rate so he proscribed medicine to get that under control. Well after 3 full days and today she says she is really feeling better and able to breath easier. All we can do is hope that this will be the way to go.
Today is Tuesday and the big deal of the day is getting the dumper down so it is picked up and emptied in the morning, Wednesday is trash pickup day here at the ranch.
Just realized that after her procedure, Donna is down to 115lbs, that means she weighs 10 pounds more than Rigg’s, need to fatten her up a little bit.
Sitting here at the table in my Inverness Fla. tee shirt, just thinking of warm swimming weather, today it is what is known around here as a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 47 expected. The next couple days the highs are only to be in the low 30’s, so a colder front is coming.
Just keep the snow away . Here we are getting to the middle of Feb. two months until vacation. All I can do is keep the faith that time will pass, I still have to look for a set of trailer tires before we leave. That should be it anything needed before a long trip except maybe a wash.
Rigg’s is enjoying having his Mom home and splits his time up between us. boy will he be disappointed when she goes back to work during the day tomorrow. She says she is feeling strong enough and will stay in her desk and not lift anything. We will see how it goes, I wanted her to have the whole week off, but you know Donna when she gets something in her head.
Not much going on here at the ranch, so I will leave you all with good thoughts, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Monday, February 11, 2013

Was up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my pretty bride. blogged awhile and caught up on my train pictures from the last few days.
Donna is looking and feeling better each day that goes by it won’t be long before I can chase her around the cook station with the pancake turner and down the hall.
She got an e-mail from her Grandog Ralphie in New York City. He must have seen Rigg’s pictures in yesterdays blog because he sent one of his to his Grandma .
He wished his Grandma a quick recovery and said he’s been being good.
Donna is getting plenty of opportunity to rest and just lie in bed and watch the tube. She says she is getting bored, but I told her for at least a couple more days I want her just to relax and do nothing.
Today the weather at the Ranch was sunny and a high of 47, but a little windy. But that’s better than cold and snow.
Hope all of you snowbirds are enjoying warm weather, we will be heading south around the middle of April, I know a lot of you will be heading north and home by then. But it is still plenty cool in Canada and the northern USA plus the swim line moves much farther north in April. The swim line is where you can swim in an outdoor pool without all kinds of heaters and stuff.
Last year we left for Paul & Helen’s in Inverness on 04-18-12 and when we got there Paul had the pool cover on and when he took it off the water temperature was 85 degrees, plenty warm for me and the pooches.
By the time we got back to the Ranch two weeks later it was warming up here, by Memorial day weekend the pool temp at the lake was 85 degrees. So we should be able to hit the beach and pools in this trip hopefully we will spend a month in Fla and Ms.
If anyone knows of a good campground in Destin that you enjoyed even if it’s not a Passport America, or Escapee’s park let us know we would like to spend a few days or maybe a week in a nice place with some amenities, pool, sauna's etc. maybe even a lubritorium,or tavern lounge. By that time the winter rates might be coming down. I’d just like to have a place to pamper Donna for a little while and Destin is close to Pensacola.
Well that’s about it for today, I hope all is well with my friends and also my family up north is enjoying the snow cover, Be careful sliding that Subie Allie, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Was up at 06:00AM for coffee I let Donna sleep in and she got up a little later, We had coffee, and she read the e-mails and blog comments she was behind on. she was so happy and surprised by the number of friends that responded to her being in the hospital and sending prayers and concerns, As I have said before we are so thankful for our blog friends, and the many just good people that responded.

Donna is looking even better today and spent part of the morning baking some cupcakes, and making chocolate chip cookies, When I said to her are you making cookies for the kid’s again, she said no some of these are for me.

It started out cloudy and cold, but about 02:00PM the sun came out and it is 56 degrees now, not a bad day here in Dardenne Prairie.

Speaking of weather my son Sam JR was in LA and was stranded for a day because of the airports on the east coast being closed. He finally got home today and said it wasn’t to bad in New York City. Once you got away from the airport in public transportation. New Jersey and Pa only got about 6 inches of snow so that isn’t bad to deal with. So the family is all safe and they all have power and not like after Sandy.

Of course I am dreaming of 80 degree weather with water warm enough for Donna to get in. I can handle a water temp of 80 or above, but Donna prefers it in the 90’s. Hopefully by the second week of April the Florida water temps will be in the upper 80’s. We are not locked into any dates, and we will probably be stopping in Saucier MS. to visit our Niece either on the way down or back. I would like to stop in Destin for a day or two and visit Pensacola. But I have been told the Blue Angels have been temporarily grounded due to lack of money. That would be a disappointment. But I still would like to visit my old base and the Museum there.

Rigg’s is bugging to have a picture in the blog so here it is.

Rigg’s practicing his rescue pull. He fashions himself as a Navy Seal Dog.

I don’t think we could part with him if he enlisted, So we let him have his fantasy right here at the Ranch.

All in all we are enjoying a nice relaxing day here at the ranch, Donna is getting her rest, and the rest of us are just sitting around and enjoying her being with us.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Was up at 06:00AM and had coffee then I just went in and laid by Donna and watched her sleep. We just can’t Thank everyone enough for their prayers and kind thought that brought us through Donna’s procedure. We are truly Blessed to have you all, and I truly believe in the power of prayer.
Donna slept in and then has been resting most of the day, she even looks so much better today than the grey lady I took to the hospital yesterday. I can’t wait now to get her on vacation and go south and really relax, she won’t be able to do any lifting for awhile and not long walks, but she can get a little exercise at a time, I have to look in the closet for the box with my Smokie hat from my police days so I will at least look like a drill Sgt. while I whip her into to shape. Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since I retired those Sgt. stripes I had worn for 25 years. However every once in awhile I will see some old timer who lived where I worked and I will here how it going Sarge.
I was looking at pictures on the laptop and I saw a couple I want to share for you people that need a dog fix.
First Rigg’s girlfriends Jody, Coco, & Sandy. At the beach in Mexico.
That one reminds me of this one.This one I call Charge of the Lab Brigade.
Big brother is in first, then Dad, and Mom is keeping the 7 little ones herded together with her.
Since we didn’t get Donna home until about 09:00PM last night, we just grabbed a sandwich on the way home and had a light supper when got home home. Donna had hers like a lunch in bed.
Today I asked her what she wanted, and she said why not pizza, you missed it last night. What a gal here she is really sore and still tired, and she thinks of me first. Now you know why I was so worried about this whole deal. So tonight is pizza night here at the ranch. Haven’t heard how my Sister & Brother in Pa. And my Sons in New York City and New Jersey are doing with all the snow.
Please everyone I hope you know how grateful we are for God’s graces and your help. Please be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Friday, February 8, 2013

Just a short post to keep you up to date on Donna’s condition. We are still at the hospital and Donna is still on monitors in Post op. The good news is all her blockages are gone and her heart is now fine, she will need rest and is being given new medication, There is still a problem with the shortness of breath and it may be lung related so that is next on the list. Hopefully she will go home later tonight.

Thank you all for your prayers and it shows that they are heard where it counts, That’s it for now I want to et back with her. Sam……….

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Was up at the usual 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, Then she was off to her last day at the truck company. I know she will go back after the surgery, but at least she will have a week off.

I want to welcome three new followers, TEXAS YELLOW ROSE, RON & THELMA, &Bob & Jo, Although you guys are signing on at a hectic time hopefully things will get back to normal after Donna’s surgery is over. The Weeb Ranch will go back to it’s usual pace of Grandkid’s , dogs, and Donna & I starting to make some trips this year. Hope you enjoy the crazyness sometimes ensues here.

I did get an hours nap with Rigg’s and he is in one of his not wanting to leave my side, or at my feet days. Like when your sick. He will not let me go to the bathroom without laying outside the door.

Tomorrow is D day, I am hoping the day will go by fast, and all will be well and we can get back with our hopes and plans. My son Andy said he would go with us and stay in the waiting room with me.

I will post when it is over tomorrow to let everyone know she is alright.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Was up and had coffee with my bride at 04:30AM . Then she was off to the truck company and Rigg’s and I were in for our morning nap which ended up for me being just watch a train movie as I haven’t been sleeping well, Rigg’s however was snoring away.

In the middle of the morning the gutter guys came and started the job of replacing all the rain gutters on the house, they started at about 10:30AM and were done by 3:30PM. Then the UPS guy cam and boy was Rigg’s happy, They delivered his new harness just like the Seal dogs wear. He is beside himself and couldn’t wait to get it on and have me fit it to him.

Of course he wanted to show it off to all his doggie friends, Especially his girlfriends, Jody, Coco, & Sandy.

It’s got three D rings, one on each side and one on top and a walking grip to keep him close.

I was wondering about the side rings and I found out they attach to a harness the handler wears and are used if you jump out of a plane or helicopter to keep the dog next to your body. I don’t think Rigg’s will be using that feature.

Two more days to sit around here and sweat it out, With the milder weather I should take Rigg’s and go look for a spot to shoot some train pictures just to kill time.

It was a nice sunny day again today with a high of 52 which it is right now at 04:00PM.

Tonight I decide we will gorge our self's on ham steak and maybe some corn fritters, or potatoes if we don’t have enough corn in the pantry, I forgot we have used a lot of it in the last couple weeks.

Not much else going on around here at the Ranch the gutters are the biggy today.

Hope everyone is having a great week, and please be careful out there. Sam & Donna…….

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM with my pretty bride for coffee,then she was off to the truck company, Rigg’s and I caught a nap. and then I blogged for awhile.
Today turned out to be another nice sunny day with the highs in the mid 50’s. All of Sundays snow is gone.
The guttering company showed up to replace the gutters and then realized they didn’t bring enough guttering, so before they set everything up in the drive, they said the would be back and do it tomorrow. Boy bet someone will catch hell for that.
I think tonight we will have polish sausage for supper, we were going to make pasta and meat sauce. But we had Lasagna a couple days ago so I figured we could put off the past until Thursday, Tomorrow I will plan some great ham steaks we have been getting lately.
I just wish the days would go by faster and Donna would be through with her surgery and home well again. This waiting is nerve wracking. No use complaining, nobody likes to hear that.
Hope everyone is having a great week, and Al get that MH sold so you can get your new one, I think you have it priced to sell personally.
Be safe out there everyone, Sam & Donna….

Monday, February 4, 2013

Up at 04:30AM for coffee with my bride, Then she was off to the truck company. Rigg’s and I dived into bed for our nap.

Hard to believe, just two mornings ago we woke up to cold and a pretty good snow cover , then today it reached 57 degrees and most of the snow except for little patches in the shade is gone.the doggies are out most of the afternoon they like the milder temperatures too.

So far I hope the week goes by fast and Friday gets here for Donna’s Hospital visit. I don’t know if she will go in Thursday or take the day off. But then she is taking off from Friday to the following Thursday. More if she needs it. I will be a wreck until this is over. Brides are like puppies you really get attached to them.

Dennis & Donna take it easy on your way home and drive safe, Don’t want a sonic boom to disturb the Ranch as you guys whiz by. We are all wishing you a safe trip home. Sandwich is probably just getting used to the quiet and your back already.

I am just waiting now for Donna to hit the door from work. Not much else going on, So everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Was up at 06:00AM for my morning coffee, didn’t sleep well most of last night,Then when the sun came up this is what greeted me. Yep about 6 inches of snow.Chappie doesn’t look happy with her snow cover. Rigg’s on the other hand is loving it.
Actually the sun didn’t make it out until about 01:00PM, it stayed cloudy most of the morning and continued to spit snow flakes every once in a while.
Having had such a nice winter so far this is the first snow of any proportion. Also having put off the task so many times, the plow is not on John Deere and the deck is still under him. So he got a break from plowing. I looked at the forecast and it is supposed to be 38 degrees this afternoon, and into the high 40’s the next two day so the snow should melt pretty quick. The roads are even starting to show bare already.
Not much doing around the Ranch, Samantha is making some side dish’s to take to a super bowl party her & Andy are going to, Adam is being picked up by his Mom so they can go to a super bowl party. Donna & I are just hanging out and not going to do much here at all. She said she is really feeling better today and doesn’t look as worn out as she has, I had suspected something was wrong for the last couple weeks just by the way she looked.
Well now just a few more days to wait and see how she is going to do. I for one will be glad when this is over.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend ever with snow, I wish I could find away to keep those Alberta Clippers from flying over and dumping snow on the Ranch. I guess if you have to blame some one. The Canadians are handy and all the ones I met have a good sense of humor. Eh.
Be safe out there. Sam & Donna………

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Was up at 06:00AM for coffee, Donna slept in so I got Rigg’s and him nap in the guest room. Adam must have stayed up late because he slept in too.When Donna got up I told her it was too cold and cloudy to make a trip to try to photograph the eagles today, They usually stay in MO until the end of Feb. so we may still have some time left.

Adam s enjoying his stay and playing games and talking with his friend on the games, He wears a headset with a microphone while he is playing.

Donna got some rest today, and now she is starting supper, Fried dead chicken, Stuffing, and a vegetable.

Boy I am glad she is home from the restaurant. I don’t have to cook tonight. Evidently when I upgraded to Windows 8 it did something to Skype, now when ever I try to make a skype video call the minute I click on the Video call button the screen goes blue and I get an error saying and error has occurred and the computer is rebooting, When it reboots all is well until you try to use the video call, then it does the reboot again, The skype program runs but it just won’t let me make calls. I deleted the program and re downloaded it and reinstalled it. but it is the same. If anyone else has had this problem let me know if there's a fix.

It is cold today and cloudy here at the Ranch, the high is around 40 degrees. I can’t wait to see if we get the early spring the groundhog predicted.

Not much doing, just waiting for the week to go by and Donna to head for the hospital, it will be Friday at 01:00PM. They called yesterday when they got the arrangements made.

I guess that’s about it for today I am being overcome by the smell of chicken frying. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Was up at 04:30AM and had our morning coffee with my pretty bride.Then she was off to the truck company. Rigg’s was asleep again as soon as I got back to the bedroom, I turned a train movie on and laid next to him.

My son Andy picked up Adam this afternoon and he will spend the weekend with Grandma & I. Maybe the three of us can go look at eagle tomorrow since Donna won’t be working at the restaurant this week.

I am sure she can sit in the truck for a couple hours and she won’t be exerting herself.